Angkas re-training 15,000 drivers, eyes pilot run by end of June

MANILA, Philippines – Motorcycle ride-hailing firm Angkas will still re-train 15,000 of its drivers before it could start its six-month test run for its motorcycle taxi service, hopefully by end of June, an official said Thursday.

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“Currently, we have re-trained 12,000, so kulang pa tayo ng additional 15,000 more to fully train the 27,000 before we can launch the pilot,” Angkas head of operations David Medrana said in a press conference in Manila.

Last month, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) approved the pilot operations of motorcycle taxis in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu for a six-month period starting this June.

The DOTr said it would use the six-month period to assess the level of safety of motorcycle taxis, their drivers’ discipline and the overall experience of passengers.

Angkas has started re-training its drivers this month, focusing on safety guidelines to ensure the safety of passengers and other motorists.

Angkas head of regulatory and public affairs George Royeca said the firm trains 2,000 riders a day.

The re-training session takes only one day.

He added that Angkas is eyeing the third week of June to start its pilot test runs.

“Nagte-training lang sila (drivers) ngayon. Hindi pa sila pwede ipasada. Hopefully by third week of June or last week of June, makapaglarga na,” Royeca said in the same press conference.

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In 2017, the DOTr tried to stop Angkas operations arguing that Republic Act No. 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code prohibits two-wheeled vehicles from being used as public utility vehicles (PUV) due to safety issues.

However, Angkas later secured a Mandaluyong City court injunction preventing the government from implementing its order against the operations of Angkas.

The Mandaluyong court directed the DOTr and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to stop “interfering” with Angkas operations and “apprehending Angkas bikers.”

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